What type of anesthesia is used for orthopedic surgery?

It depends upon a number of factors concerning the patient and surgeon and anesthesiologist preference. General anesthesia can be administered and the patient can be rendered totally unconscious. Breathing is provided by a Anesthesia Machine via an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) in the patient's trachea. Alternatively regional anesthesia can be adminstered, either a spinal, epidural, or combination of nerve blocks. During the surgery, the patient is given light sedation and allowed to rest comfortably during the procedure. A spinal is a single injection of a local anesthetic and/or narcotic into the spinal fluid, below the spinal cord. It numbs the area from approximately mid-chest down. An epidural uses a small catheter about the size of a fishing line and does not penetrate as far as the spinal. Local anesthetic and/or narcotics are used as well. The advantage of this is that it can be redosed with medication if the surgery proceeds longer than expected and can be used afterwards for pain control as well. As always, a thorough discussion with your Surgeon and Anesthesiologist should be undertaken prior to your Surgery to decide which options are available and which is best for you.